Penn State Football’s 2021 schedule: Ranking Nittany Lions’ toughest games

1. Ohio State

The Ohio State game is going to loom over every schedule the Nittany Lions will face, year in and year out, no matter where the game is played.

Last season, Penn State Football got the short end of the stick in this matchup when they got to host the Buckeyes in front of only family and friends in their week 2 matchup that Ohio State won 38-25.

Penn State Football has not won in Columbus since 2011, however had every chance to do so in 2017 before they eventually choked away a two score lead late in the game. Blowing leads is something all to familiar to Franklin’s squad when it comes to this matchup.

Ohio State will be replacing star quarterback Justin Fields next season, most likely with highly touted recruit CJ Stroud. Stroud will most likely not be the threat Fields was in only his first season, but will still have plenty of talent around him, including wide receiver Chris Olave who shocked the college football world when he decided to return for his senior season.

This game could very well determine who wins the Big Ten East and who gets a spot in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game.

If Penn State Football can enter this matchup on October 30th with zero or one loss, this could have ‘game of the year’ hype leading into it.

It is by far their toughest game on the schedule, however a win in this one and the sky is the limit for Penn State Football next season.